Monday, November 10, 2014

Happy Veterans Day America, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th.

Veterans Day coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.

The United States originally observed Armistice Day and it was renamed to Veterans Day holiday in 1954.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day as November 11, 1919.

Seven years later, the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution (June 4, 1926), and requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11th.
Photo right of soldier with folded American flag courtesy of wikimedia.

I was fortunate to receive this interesting article from one of my dearest cousins about my late father and his 3 brothers who served during World War II.

Coincidentally, major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.

Do you plan on doing anything this Veterans Day?

Many celebrate with family and friends, and there are so many special ways to celebrate.

For example, sharing photos of loved ones who have served in the armed forces (I've just done that via the photo above), posting to your social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, blogs, etc. Also the traditional VD Parades, especially in New York City.
Photo below right of bald eagle courtesy of wikimedia.

Parades are wonderful especially for children. Being creative with children is also an excellent way to help them learn about history and Veterans Day. Have them read various periodicals (e.g., books, newspapers, magazines, internet, photos of soldiers, etc.) and ask them to draw pictures of various images that remind them of Veterans Day such as our American flag, relatives in uniform, Veterans Day Memorials, and our national emblem, the bald eagle.

If you happen to be in New York City, there's always the Veterans Day Parade, this year, the theme is “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.” Organized in New York since 1929 by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC) this parade is the largest Veterans Day event in the nation with over 25,000 parade participants, and this year marks the 85th year.

The wreath laying ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Eternal Flame in Madison Square Park (located in the Flat Iron district of New York City) and the parade begins at 11:15 a.m.
Photo below left of Aviation High School at Madison Square Park during the NYC Veterans Day Parade courtesy of wikimedia.

The VD Parade begins on Fifth Avenue at 23rd Street, and continues north along Fifth Avenue to 56th Street.

Raymond Kelly,former NYPD commissioner and also a Marine lieutenant during Vietnam War era, will serve as grand marshal. His wife of 50 years, Veronica, will march with him. She is a 10-year veteran of the Coast Guard reserves -- rising to the rank of petty officer first class.